Baycrest

Youth volunteers exude energy and warmth E ach summer, clients, staff and year-long volunteers look forward to the influx of student volunteers who bring their youthful vitality to Baycrest. Youth volunteers, from age 13 to 25, work in a variety of departments, assisting in client programs and outings, visiting with residents and patients. Helping to manage the 254 volunteers in the 2017 Summer Youth Program was the job of three student coordinators: Camille Silverio, a student in Health Studies at York University, who has been volunteering at Baycrest since March 2017; Dea Shijiaku, who is studying Health Management at York University and has been a volunteer since June 2015; and Maria Khairoullin, a Psychology student at York University, who has been volunteering intermittently at Baycrest since June 2009. These positions are generously funded by a Service Canada grant. "Volunteers are such an integral part of Baycrest, and it has been a pleasure to meet and coordinate prospective and current volunteers," says Camille. "It is a challenging responsibility, but working together with the Volunteer Services team has been a great experience." Coordinators are responsible for pre-screening, interviewing and placing volunteers, organizing job shadowing opportunities, executing the LMS (eLearning modules) program and supporting the Baycrest Youth Council with events and workshops. "This position enabled me to gain important life skills while working in a fun and positive environment," adds Dea. "It was important for me to be involved behind the scenes to help others gain as positive a volunteering experience as I got when I first started at 14," says Maria. For more information about the Youth Volunteer Program, please visit baycrest.org and click on the volunteer section or call 416-785-2500, ext. 2572. 10 Volunteers help seniors enjoy their Prom at Baycrest Friendly visiting in the garden Our three summer student coordinators Hospital 5 Summer BBQ for patients and their families

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